Palythoa mammilosa (green)

Palythoa Colonial Anemones can be quite impressive in an aquarium. It is no wonder that they are known as Spreading Mats, since groups of them can effectively carpet areas of an aquarium in.

Palythoa Colonial Anemones are particularly good specimens due to their hardiness. They can tolerate a variety of light conditions and can adjust to most turbidities. However, they tend to look their best with bright light and a moderate current. Palythoa Colonial Anemones normally do not do well when housed with crabs or lobsters. Some fish, particularly those known to eat corals, may pick at Palythoa species in an aquarium. Though they are quite hardy, Palythoa Colonial Anemones will react to changing water conditions. They may show odd coloration, or they may contract or expand. These behaviors can be used as indicators of changing water quality in a home aquarium. Because they quickly propagate in appropriate conditions, you should allow your Palythoa Colonial Anemones some room to expand. This will ensure that they do not engulf other species in the same area of their aquarium.

Palythoa Colonial Anemones grow connected tightly to each other by a fibrous mat that encrusts each member of the colony at the base. This is known as a choenenchyme. Most Palythoa Colonial Anemones are some shade of cream, green, tan, or brown. These colonies grow in curved shapes, or hemispheres, that are usually less than 12 inches (30 centimeters) across. Each member of a colony has a flattened oral disc. This is surrounded by tentacles of various shape. Despite the rather neutral overall coloration, many Palythoa Colonial Anemones show fluorescent sections on the tentacles and oral discs. Palythoa Colonial Anemones secrete a mucous that protects their oral discs and tentacles particularily if they are exposed at low tide.

Despite their names, Palythoa Colonial Anemones are not true anemones. They are members of the family Zoanthidae. Because they are so hardy and propagate readily, Palythoa Colonial Anemones are a good choice for beginners. Palythoa Colonial Anemones are native to a variety of environments throughout the Indo Pacific.

 

Origin:

Food:

The symbiotic algae zooxanthellae hosted within their bodies provides the majority of their nutritional requirements

Large:

up to 2" (1 - 1,5 cm)

Temperature: